Georgia Physician Fined for Medical Malpractice

Dr. James S. Snow of Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville, Georgia has been fined by the state medical board for a case involving a 40-year-old woman who died in his care while awaiting discharge.

According to the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners, the patient, identified only as E.T., came to the emergency room at Liberty Regional Medical Center on January 10, 2004 with complaints of chest pains that she described as, "an elephant sitting on my chest." Snow ordered standard lab work, a chest X-ray, and an EKG. According to reports, the patient appeared to be getting better when she suddenly experienced "ventricular fibrillation" and died. Attempts were made to resuscitate her but were unsuccessful.

A peer reviewer appointed by the medical board to assess how Snow handled E.T.'s case concluded that Snow's actions failed to conform to minimum accepted standard of care in regards to both diagnosis and treatment.  

Snow signed a public consent order and agreed to pay $5,000 and complete 15 hours of continuing medical education. In addition, Snow will also pay $400 to the medical board as reimbursement for administrative fees.

Snow's profile on the medical board's website shows that Snow was also ordered to pay $750,000 in a medical malpractice settlement in May 2007. However, according to the medical board this settlement may occur for a number of reasons and does not automatically mean that Snow acted negligently or incompetently as a physician. Snow's most current consent order will also appear on his physician profile.

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